ADA notches key wins in federal funding for 2017

Washington — The Senate Appropriations Committee approved bipartisan legislation June 9 that would provide increased funding to many of the Association's key advocacy issues affecting oral and overall health.

The Labor, Health and Human Services and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill passed 29-1 and includes a $2 billion increase for research by the National Institutes of Health. The bill shows legislators continue to be committed to oral health including research, education and opioid abuse prevention.

Key advocacy wins for the ADA include:

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research: The committee approved nearly $430.5 in funding for 2017, about a $17 million increase from 2016.

Health Resources and Services Administration: Appropriators approved nearly $35.9 million for oral health training programs with $10 million set aside for general dentistry residencies and $10 million for pediatric dental residencies. The committee also “strongly encouraged” HRSA to restore the position of chief dental officer. The Maternal and Child Health Block Grant and AIDS Dental Services will receive $641.7 million and $13.1 million, respectively, in 2017.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: The committee approved $16 million for 2017.

The bill also includes additional funding for programs to combat opioid abuse within the Centers for Disease Control, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Health Resources and Services Administration.